The patriarch of Seehafer Broadcasting in Manitowoc has died.
Don Seehafer passed away unexpectedly yesterday at his residence.
Don began his broadcasting career in 1952, while still in high school as a sports announcer in his hometown of Marshfield at WDLB Radio.
He purchased his 1st radio station in St. Peter, Minnesota in 1960 and 10-years later, Seehafer purchased WOMT in 1970.
He would later add WQTC-FM in Two Rivers & an AM/FM in Wausau and also owned radio stations in Janesville/Beloit, Rochester, Minnesota & Winter Haven, Florida.
Don was inducted into both the Wisconsin Broadcasters Hall of Fame and, the Lakeshore All-Sports Hall of Fame.
After his induction into the WBA Hall of Fame, he spoke with SeehaferNews.com, and said simply “I just enjoy broadcasting. I enjoy the people, I enjoy the programming, I enjoy news, sports, what have you.”
Seehafer, who served as chairman of the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association Board of Directors as well as a number of local boards in the lakeshore area, transferred ownership of Seehafer Broadcasting to his 4-children in late August of 2014.
That’s when his son, Mark became President.
Mark says that he has other hobbies, “but his number one hobby is radio.”
He also spoke about the positive attitude Mr. Seehafer would bring to the station, saying he was “always happy, and always smiling.”
As former longtime WBA President John Laabs said of Don Seehafer, he was a “mastermind of small market radio.”
Please, CLICK HERE to view the full obituary for Mr. Don Seehafer.
